These Are The Most Popular Dog Breeds In MA

MASSACHUSETTS — We’re Labrador retriever people in Massachusetts.

That’s according to U.S. News & World Report, which used data from the 2025 American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey to determine the most popular dog breeds in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

While the lab is the top choice of Massachusetts pet owners, we’re also partial to golden retrievers and goldendoodles, the second and third most popular dog breeds, respectively.

About 68 million U.S. households have a dog, and the one most likely sitting in the window is a Labrador retriever, be it black, yellow or brown, according to the report. Rounding out the top 10 are the Chihuahua, golden retriever, American pit bull terrier, German shepherd, French bulldog, shih tzu, Yorkshire terrier, and dachshund.

Labs have long been a favorite. Black labs previously held the No. 10 spot, but this year’s “color-blind” survey moves them to No. 1, displacing previously No. 1 Chihuahuas, U.S. News reported.

Golden retrievers hold firm at No. 3, and German shepherds remain in the top five, but slip a place to fifth to make room for No. 4 American pit bull terriers.

Also:

• French bulldogs fell from No. 2 to No. 6, while the previous No. 6, the goldendoodle, dropped to No. 7.
• Shih tzus, which previously made the top five at No. 5, are now No. 8.
• Yorkshire terriers also dropped two places, going from No. 7 to No. 9.
• Previously at No. 9, pit bulls have dropped out of the top 10 entirely this time around.
• A newcomer to the top 10 this year is the dachshund at No. 10.